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TLPA President Bill Scalzi
Rockville, Md. — About 50 transportation leaders from across North America gathered July 12-14 for the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association (TLPA) Mid-Year International Leadership Conference in Anchorage, Alaska. The event was marked by a robust line-up of transportation operators, expert panelists and vendors pointing the way forward for the industry.
In his opening address, TLPA President Bill Scalzi noted that the association’s most recent activities have focused on: addressing legal, regulatory, and legislative issues on a national scale; developing alternative business models for the industry; effectively engaging the media on the public safety failings of transportation network companies (TNCs); and creating programs that build public respect and recognition for the industry.
“Uniting within TLPA and sharing best practices are our best opportunities to provide for the future viability of our industry and each company,” Scalzi said.
TLPA CEO Alfred LaGasse
The conference’s two General Sessions presented major topics facing the industry. The first provided reports on alternative business models from the three different task forces—taxicab, limousine, and paratransit—as well as an update on Viatrans, which offers services to road transportation companies, and its relationship to the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the Europe-based trade association for road transportation.
In the second session, Scalzi and TLPA CEO Alfred LaGasse provided a recap of TLPA’s legislative fly-in, which was held in Washington, D.C., this past June. Panelists also discussed long-term competitiveness with TNCs and the future of technology in the industry. Both general sessions received overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees.
Making professional connections is a hallmark of TLPA’s events. Throughout the conference, which was held in Alaska for the first time in more than two decades, attendees were able to network over excellent meals, including two evening receptions. As part of the conference, many members also networked while on a glacier dinner cruise showcasing the northernmost state’s natural beauty.
The next big TLPA event will be its 99th Annual Convention & Trade Show in Denver, Colo., from October 8-12. You can learn more about the event at tlpa.org/Annual-Convention.
Visit tlpa.org for more information about the association.
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Transportation fleet operators from around the country met with federal lawmakers June 13 in Washington, D.C., bringing with them messages urging safety measures on federal contracts and fair business practices at America’s airports.
Members of the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association (TLPA) met with dozens of U.S. representatives, senators, and staffers as part of the trade group’s annual Legislative Fly-In. Members focused discussions on two major issues for the industry.
First, members discussed the importance of requiring that drivers who provide transportation services funded in part by the federal government submit to and pass a national fingerprint-based background check. More than 80 programs across the federal government are authorized to fund transportation services for individuals with disabilities, older adults, veterans, people with lower incomes, and others who require alternatives to traditional public transportation services.
“The public must feel, at all times, that safety is the primary concern,” TLPA President Bill Scalzi said. “Proper biometric-based background checks are the gold standard, and they definitively confirm that drivers are who they say they are. These checks can protect passengers from harm and serve as a deterrent to dangerous actions, including everything from assaults to terrorist acts.”
Second, members discussed the importance of ensuring a level playing field for transportation companies that provide service to America’s airports. Fees for airport access for such companies must be proportional to the use of such facilities, the members said. In addition, if passengers cannot find a carrier because it lacks equal access to on-site facilities, or if operating rules favor one provider over another, then airports risk artificially distorting the market.
“If companies abide by the same safety rules and pay a fair fee for access to airports, then passengers will decide for themselves what is the best mode of transportation, rather than the airport tipping the scale in favor of one company over another,” Scalzi said.
These issues and others will be topics of discussion at the TLPA’s 99th Annual Convention & Trade Show in Denver, Colo., from October 8-12.
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ALA’s Casino Night drew a crowd of nearly 130 attendeesScottsdale, Ariz. — When the Arizona Limousine Association (ALA) hosted its first-ever Casino Night fundraiser on July 29, familiar industry vendor Chosen Payments served as the co-producer of a debut event that drew nearly 130 guests.
Held at local dealership Certified Benz & Beemer, the showroom was cleared out to accommodate blackjack, roulette, and craps tables, prizes, and lots of event attendees. Among the triple-digital turnout were Greg Maddock of SoCal Penske and Dan Bourbonnais of The Hudson Group, who traveled from California to show their support for the ALA and represent their respective companies, both of which were sponsors of the event.
Jason and Kendra Kaplan of The Driver Provider
Additional sponsors who helped make the night of food, fun, and gambling a success included Chauffeur Driven, Create-A-Card, Drive Profit, Creative Bus Sales, Driving Results, First Class Customs, FastTrak, GroundWidgets, Livery Coach, and Chosen Payments.
Chosen Payments Marketing Manager Jim Luff, who also serves as an ALA board member, proposed the Casino Night idea last year after the credit card processor helped host a similar event for the Greater California Livery Association. He also served as both the emcee and chairman for the ALA’s fundraiser.
The evening raised not only almost $5,000 for the regional association but also awareness of its efforts on behalf of the industry. According to ALA President Jeff Conly of Vitesse Worldwide, the event, which he plans to see become an annual one, also serves as a way to introduce non-members to the ALA in a friendly, casual setting, as well as highlight the benefits of membership.
ALA’s next event will be its meeting today, August 8.
Visit azlimousineassociation.com for more information.
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